Spring training’s arrival brings the end to the offseason. And you know what that means? It is time to play professor and dole out grades for the Hot Stove season.

First, the American League (with the National League on Wednesday):

Trading for R.A. Dickey was just one of the Blue Jays' big offseason moves. (AP Photo)

Toronto Blue Jays: A

When general manager Alex Anthopoulos finally made his move, he didn’t mess around. The impact was felt all the way to Las Vegas. When Anthopoulos convinced the Miami Marlins to make their salary dump in Canada, the Blue Jays became favorites to win the World Series.

What a dump it was, with the Blue Jays acquiring one of the game’s top shortstops in Jose Reyes, two proven starters in Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson, and speedy second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. The deal was expensive—the Blue Jays took on nearly $150 million—but Rogers Communication can afford it.

Dealing for R.A. Dickey put the odds even more in the Blue Jays’ favor. I would have added a plus to their grade if Anthopoulos hadn’t given cheater Melky Cabrera a $10 million raise.

Los Angeles Angels: A

Having a local TV deal that brings in $150 million a year sure is nice. It allowed owner Arte Moreno to nab the top player on the free-agent market for the second consecutive year. Josh Hamilton, armed with a five-year, $125 million contract, should fit nicely hitting cleanup behind Albert Pujols.

The Angels also brought in a new closer, Ryan Madson, and remade the bottom of their rotation by acquiring Tommy Hanson, Joe Blanton and the underrated Jason Vargas.

Cleveland Indians: A

One of the busiest teams this offseason, the Tribe did far more to like than question. They started by hiring one of the game’s top managers, Terry Francona. Signing Brett Myers and Mark Reynolds to one-year deals should upgrade the rotation and offense at a reasonable price. Trading for Trevor Bauer could be a steal. Even giving Nick Swisher $56 million for four years made sense.

Cleveland needed to prove it is serious about winning, and Swisher did a lot of that with the New York Yankees.

Kansas City Royals: A

General manager Dayton Moore wasn’t kidding when he said he would upgrade his rotation. Adding James Shields, Ervin Santana, Wade Davis and re-signing Jeremy Guthrie gives the Royals the most improved starting staff in the AL Central.

Trading a prospect as promising as Wil Myers was painful, but the future has arrived in Kansas City.

Oakland Athletics: B

Billy Beane has been at his wheeling-dealing best since the end of the season, making eight trades involving 25 players. He also made another international signing, securing Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima with a two-year, $6.5 million deal.

While the biggest name coming to Oakland is center fielder Chris Young, who might not even start, there will be no doubting Beane in this corner after the A’s success last season.

Detroit Tigers: B

Giving Torii Hunter a two-year, $26 million deal might prove overly generous. Giving Anibal Sanchez $80 million for five years undoubtedly will prove overly generous. But billionaire owner Mike Ilitch isn’t about to quibble over millions in his quest for a ring. Adding Hunter and keeping Sanchez certainly enhances his chances.

Seattle Mariners: B

Without shelling out mega bucks for a free agent, general manager Jack Zduriencik pumped up the Mariners’ meager offense by trading for Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales. Low-cost free agents Raul Ibanez and Jason Bay could help, too.

Still, there is a gnawing feeling that Zduriencik might have missed an opportunity by not bringing in a top free agent. It still isn’t too late for Michael Bourn, though.

Texas Rangers: B

There will be no ripping the Rangers here for failing to land any of the star players to whom they were linked. They simply refused to overpay. These guys know how to stick to their plan. Remember when they signed Adrian Beltre two years ago? Though the five-year, $80 million contract was panned as an overreaction to missing out on Cliff Lee, the deal looks pretty good today.

Besides, Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynski might not be as much of a downgrade from Josh Hamilton and Michael Young as many think.

New York Yankees: C

They were wise to put their suddenly shrinking resources into pitching, but why are their resources shrinking? These are the Yankees. If any team east of LA shouldn’t worry about payroll, this is it. Being outbid by the Pittsburgh Pirates for Russell Martin shouldn’t happen.

The Yankees didn’t get any younger, either.

Boston Red Sox: C

No team overpaid more free agents. The Red Sox overextended for a shortstop, Stephen Drew, one starter, Ryan Dempster, two outfielders, Shane Victorino and Jonny Gomes, and a backup catcher, David Ross. Only the Mike Napoli signing looks reasonable, and they needed nearly all winter to complete that.

There is good news, though. The six signings combined will cost around $100 million, or about $40 million less than what they threw at Carl Crawford two offseasons ago. The Red Sox fared better on the trade front, acquiring All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan from the Pirates.

Based on what players are saying, Boston’s best move was hiring John Farrell to replace Bobby Valentine as manager. Of course, most players would have considered a statue an upgrade over Valentine.

Tampa Bay Rays: C

Wil Myers someday will prove worth the price of James Shields, but he can’t be expected to help the Rays much in the short term. When you compare Tampa Bay’s key additions (James Loney, Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson) with its notable losses (Shields, Davis, B.J. Upton), this team will open camp with a weaker roster than a year ago.

Locking up Evan Longoria through 2022 was another good investment unless you believe the $100 million going to his extension could have helped keep David Price long-term.

Minnesota Twins: C

With their focus more on the future than 2013, the Twins reaped a respectable return for moving center fielders Denard Span and Ben Revere. Vance Worley, acquired in the Revere deal, looks like their No. 1 starter.

But even on a shoestring budget, Minnesota could have signed better free agents than Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey to upgrade what was the AL’s worst rotation in 2012.

Chicago White Sox: C

The White Sox retained Jake Peavy with an overly generous, two-year, $29 million extension and overpaid utilityman Jeff Keppinger with a three-year, $12 million deal.

Still, their most regrettable decision was not bringing back Pierzynski, who ended up in Texas on a one-year deal.

Houston Astros: D

By any measure, general manager Jeff Luhnow and his new-age front office have dramatically improved Houston’s farm system. Well, bully for them. If these guys are that sharp, they should be able to build for the future without sacrificing so much of the present.

The Astros, debuting in the AL West, appear destined for a third consecutive season with at least 106 losses.